Some Mari stuff

The older two were sick again last night. Every time I had to go in to take care of one of the pukey kids, Mari would wake up and expect to eat. So I did not get a heck of a lot of sleep last night. I am hoping that is the end of the sickness.

I took this little video of Mari last night. I have to warn you - she doesn't "do" a lot. So unless you are close family or have a very high tolerance for dorky Mommy voices then don't feel obliged to watch it!

She is growing so fast - I can't believe it really. She tried to walk over to me the other day - well, her Daddy held her just above the ground and dragged her feet on the ground over to Mommy - does that count?

Christmas bliss

We have had an eventful few days. As have most of you. We are tired - well Mommy is VERY tired and the others also.

On the morning of the 24th - we finally put up and decorated our tree. Yeah for us! The kids have been messing with it since and I am so glad I didn't put it up sooner - I would likely have tied them to the chair with garland by now if I had.

We had the McKenzie family and our neighbor over on Christmas eve. Cadence and my kids had a blast. The two little ones behave pretty well too. My kids find Cadence so funny - there is always a lot of giggling.

We told Gavin and Bronwyn they could open one present Christmas eve. So about an hour into our visit with Scott, Mel and company Gavin asked them if they were ready to leave. I could have choked the little...

Christmas morning was fun - the kids really enjoyed it. Mari got what she wanted - a bust in the face (as my mother always says). We spent the day at Mom and Dad's with Jon & Cindy and family and the kids played like maniacs. I have philosophical issues with the gluttony of toys that the kids get and how we celebrate special events - but it was not too bad this year and the kids were pretty respectful and grateful.

We stayed over at Mom and Dad's Christmas night and last night. It was a nice change for us. The kids love staying over at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Boxing day, the day I usually like to take down our tree, we went with my folks to Joan's. Erin and Drew and of course, the new celeb - Sam, are home so we went to visit them. We got there a bit before everyone else and had a nice visit. The Reid and Lewis families arrived as well as some other friends of Joan's and the party was just starting to get into full visit mode - when Gavin threw up EVERYWHERE!

I was totally not expecting it, he was acting tired and lethargic, as was Bronwyn. But I figure it was because of several late nights and lots of rich food etc. But no, he was apparently sick. When he started to throw up I thought - Can I get this cleaned up without any one noticing? And then he bubbled up again and I thought - No, we are past that point! The good news was that I didn't get the brunt of it. My Mom was holding him - so she was the one who took the worst hit.

We got back to their house and then Bronwyn started throwing up. I have to admit I always worry more about her when she gets sick - so this got my anxiety levels up a bit.

It was a "pukey" evening, but both kids slept well and are doing fairly good today. Right now Gavin is arguing with his Dad about going to bed. He is yelling - I am the boss of my pajamas!" Well if you are going to be a boss - may as well be the boss of pajamas.

Hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight. I need energy because tomorrow the tree comes down.

Merry Christmas

Once again (yes, I am a slacker) I am not sending cards but rather just posting our Christmas greeting here. In fact, this likely reaches more people than I would if I did cards.

May God Bless you all this Christmas and give you great joy in the upcoming year.

We love our friends and family and having you share in our life is such a great joy for us. Thank you for your friendship and love.

My husband is an old man

So Wes turned 40 yesterday. We had a lovely day. My folks had us for a very nice prime rib dinner. Wes was spoiled by family and 40 sure doesn't seem as old as it used to!

I want to say something rather mushy about my husband - which is OK because he never reads the blog unless I force him. When we were in Edmonton waiting to have Bronwyn, Wes asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him I just wanted the new Dixie Chicks CD.

I listened to this CD as I drove back and forth to the hospital visiting Bronwyn. When I hear those songs now I have almost an emotional reaction. I have a memory of a warm clear late August day as I drove across the low level bridge anxious about how Bronwyn would be doing that day. It is quite amazing how music brings the whole feeling back again.

Back to my point - there is a song on this CD - Easy Silence. At the time I felt like it described Wes and his role in my life to a T. I still feel the same way even now.

The chorus goes:

I come to find a refuge in the easy silence that you make for me. It's OK when there's nothing more to say to me. And the peaceful quiet you create for me. And the way you keep the world at bay for me.

Wes is quiet, I mean really quiet. But he is steady, really steady. This is likely why I married him. He is everything I am not. I can rely on him to do what he needs to do, to shoulder the weight of the family and to calm me down when needed. He rarely gets ruffled and even more rarely looses his temper.

He laughs big and loud - which surprises people! He enjoys his kids and finds immense joy in watching them.

God has blessed my life so richly through Wes - even if he is now 40!

Gavin on sharing

This is what I overheard earlier this evening.

Gavin - Bronwyn, that is not how you share. You don't just grab what you want.

Bronwyn - Oh.

Gavin - You have to ask for what you want and then I say no.

Bronwyn - Ganna (Gavin) ma have dis?

Gavin - No.

Busy busy

We have been busy - isn't everyone right now? Tis the season as they say.

Here are a few pictures. I'll make this short tonight - its late.

Hope you are all having a nice Christmas season. If you are like me and abhore shopping at the best of times, hopefully you are also doing most of your shopping on line.

Snowy day

The kids and I were going to go to Mom and Dad's after church for lunch, as usual. But... when we arrived home to drop Wes (who was going to stay home and work in the basement) I couldn't get our van up the ever so slight incline on our street. It had started snowing more seriously while we were at church and the roads got much worse. Since I couldn't move anywhere I decided that staying home was the best option.

Wes is out right now with Gavin helping Natasha and Max build a snow man. Yup it is actually snowman worthy snow - odd for Calgary - so we try to enjoy it when we can.

I am snug in side listening to Mari cry - yes I know Mari, I'll feed you right away.

We went out last night to Joan's in Airdrie for the festival of lights. They had fireworks which the kids loved. We also had a little train ride and hot chocolate. So a very nice night in all. Gavin said it was just like an adventure.

On Friday I had a very good laugh. Bronwyn was playing beside me while I was checking emails etc on the computer. She had a pencil and I heard her say in a stern voice. "Hey, hey - you time out." And she stuck the pencil by the corner of the desk. Ha. I found that funny.

Oh, hey the snow man is almost as tall as Wes. Good work gang!!

Not to tired to rant

This isn't an appropriate venue for this but I just watched the news again - heck! I am so cranked with our politicians in Ottawa. Really - to think that while I worry about how I am going to feed my family as the economy falters they are pushing and playing power games. Of all the idiotic fatheaded... seriously, this is truly annoying!

Too tired

I had a bunch of cute little stories from this past weekend I wanted to share - but I am too tired. Sorry. I was feeling quite sick most of last week and am only now starting to feel better. We have had a lot going on in our world too - which has been very draining.

So here are some photos.

I'm still sticky

We had a wild time at Grandma's house yesterday, after church. We made gingerbread houses. There was icing everywhere, candy everywhere, crumbs everywhere - I am not 100% sure I got it all out of my hair.

After the festivities I took the kids and threw them in the big tub in Mom and Dad's bathroom. They had a blast doing that too.

I survived! Poor Mari got pretty sidelined during the activities and Mommy wasn't very good about taking care of her needs. As a result, she was pretty gassie and we had a horrible night.

It was a great deal of fun, even if Bronwyn ate WAY too much icing.

My perfect life

I have this image in my mind of my perfect moment as a parent. It starts with laying down our youngest in her bassinet and having her sleep soundly there. Then I proceed to the bedroom where our two older children are sleeping soundly - I gently kiss their foreheads and then quietly leave the room. My husband and I have a quiet few moments holding hands and then we go to bed. Everyone sleeps and all is peaceful.

Well, this perfect moment never seems to happen in our house. I couldn't count on one hand the number of nights that we haven't had a bed littered with children. Invariably someone has the sniffles or is sick or needs tending through the night. But, we have gotten used to this.

I decided yesterday that maybe my mental image needs to change to allow for many of the perfect moments that I do have in my day.

Perfect moment #1 - Hearing Gavin go and talk to his Daddy while Wes is digging for some important paperwork that we have to find. "Daddy," Gavin says in a plaintive and soft voice, "We don't have time for that - I'm sorry we just don't. We have to go wrestle right now."

Perfect moment #2 - Bronwyn finally falling asleep on the couch. Her cheeks flushed and her breathing heavy. I look at her and hope that sleep will help her get over whatever bug she has and I thank God that she is sitting there even if she is sick.

Perfect moment #3 - Mari just needing her mommy (and more importantly her boobs) way more often than I had ever imagined.

So - its not picture perfect but I wouldn't have it any other way. God has richly blessed us with three super kids. I just need a reminder now and then of how wonderful they are. I'll get sleep someday - but for now this will do nicely.

For Kennedy

So I heard through the family grape vine that Kennedy was cheesed that Jared got his picture posted and she didn't get hers.

I have a natural connection and sympathy with Kennedy - as I had two older brothers too. When I heard my nephews say "One, two, three ignore her," I was appalled - seriously! That was what my brothers used to say to taunt me - but it was way worse knowing that Tom had taught his own sons to do this to his daughter. But, then off course - Kennedy just chimed in and joined them - laughing - so it didn't matter to her. It was just the principle of the thing, ya know!

So here is a picture of Kennedy. And Josh too - although I didn't get to see Josh holding Mari as I was getting Bronwyn to take a nap.

Mari has been busy

It has been a pretty busy week for us. Mari has had a bunch of introductions to family.

First Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill (my side) came and met her. Then she got to meet Uncle Tom, Auntie Pam and Jared, Josh & Kennedy. She was particularly taken with Jared.

We then raced home and he got to meet hid Daddy's Auntie Sandra and his Cousin Lyle, Jaelyn and their new baby Kaden. Kaden is younger than Mari but bigger. He is very very cute.

So - lots of meet and greets this week.

Rememberance Day

I always think a lot about my Grandfathers on Remembrance Day.

My dad's dad was in the Welsh Guards before the war and was among the first recalled into service during the war. He spent several years in a German prison war camp and was released before the war was over. He left a wife with two very small children during that time.

Dad's dad, my Granddad Watts was a very tall man, with pure white hair, who had a lovely Welsh accent. I remember sitting in their garden in Africa as a teenager and listening to him tell me stories of his youth and the war. He would sit there slowly smoking a cigar (he had to smoke them outside as Grandma didn't approve of the habit) and in his soft musical voice he'd walk me through parts of his world. It was amazing. I felt so blessed to have spent that time with him. I learned later that he told me stories that even my dad didn't know. I guess age had lessened the pain of the memories and he could retell them with greater ease.

My mom's dad was on the other side of the spectrum. He was short, stout and had an almost gruff yet powerful voice. He didn't serve in the war. He was willing to serve in a non-combative role, as he was appalled by Hitler and his directives. It was his religious beliefs that kept him from enlisting as a soldier. This was not an easy choice. He was harassed for this choice and yet his convictions kept him strong.

I remember sitting at the dining room table with Grandpa Bailey as he told stories of his youth. He was an amazing story teller. He didn't care if there was mustard on his chin or bread crumbs on his tie. He was engrossed in the story and so was his audience. He had large chubby fingers that he would cross together on the table or gesture to aid in the story. I spent a lot of time with my Grandparents when I was in University so I heard many of his stories - several times!

Do I think that one of my Grandfathers made a wiser choice than the other? No. I wouldn't make that judgment. What I do know is that I was immensely proud of both of them. They were both men of conviction, honestly and honour. They did what they believed was right even when the cost was personally very high. They were like this always - not just during the war.

They are to me the standard of manhood. I feel honoured to say they are my Grandpas.

Granddad Watts and Grandpa Bailey - I miss you both!

All three kids are sleeping

WOW! I need to get Wes to pick up a lotto ticket!

Gavin would normally be on his way to preschool but he has actually been pretty sick since Wednesday afternoon. When I got him home from school on Wednesday I could tell he really wasn't himself. By Thursday morning he had a bad fever and it has only today started to subside.

Bronwyn is also sick, a bad chest cough. Which is always a bit off-putting as her colour goes a bit off when she has a cold. Makes sense, her oxygen levels decrease so her colour goes off. But, we just keep an eye on her.

Mari is fine (thankfully) - and well awake now - that was short lived! So I am off.

A minute or two of rest

The girls are both asleep and Gavin is at playschool. I have to rouse everyone in about 15 minutes to go pick Gavin up - but for now ahhh...

Mari is doing well. She hasn't gained weight as fast as I would have liked and that is why I think she isn't sleeping so well yet. I am sure once she gets a bit of pudge on her she'll be the sleeper we were hoping for. If she isn't? Well, she'll have to start sleeping at some point - they always do.

I have been a bit, dare I say, grumpy today. Not really, but the kids have all had head colds and it snowed (wet drippy snow), and Gavin didn't want to go to preschool and was dragging his feet, and they all fell asleep in the car, and the van got all muddy in the parking lot at the preschool, and ... well for now I am making the most of my down time to improve my attitude. Breath, one two three - isn't that how it goes.

Actually, I am surprise at how few rushed and upset times I have with the kids. We made a snowman this morning - I tried to help but Mari was in the snugly and would protest every time I bent over.

Bronwyn is talking more and more but she is economical in her word usage. She has certain words that have multiple meanings - you just have to figure out which meaning. For example, the other night she confounded her dad in the middle of the night. She had called out for him and when he went to check on her she asked for yogurt. He was confused and asked her what she wanted. She repeated - yogurt. He couldn't figure out why she wanted yogurt in the middle of the night. Just when it was about to become an issue I yelled from the other room - she wants water Wes. Yes, she calls water - yogurt, unless of course she actually wants yogurt - that is yogurt too. There are several words that are like this - confusing?? A bit.

Well, it is time now to go get the boy! Must run.

Halloween and birthday bashes

Wow - what a crazy couple of days. The kids are just in the bath now with Daddy (well the kids are in the bath - Daddy is just on the sidelines). Mari is sleeping - why not its early!

We had a preschool costume party for Gavin yesterday - and I brought cupcakes because it was his birthday too. In the evening, Wes and Matt took the kids out trick or treating. Wes had a hat on with a knife across the hat - but he had to run back and drop it off as it was upsetting Isaac. We didn't plan this at all but our two kids were dinosaurs and so was Max. Isaac was a lobster - trust me he was so cute.

Wes had to bring Bronwyn home early as she faded sooner than the boys. Little maniacs!

Today we had the big man's birthday party. Of course, we had to spend the morning cleaning our house - I tell ya, if we didn't occasionally have company my house would never get cleaned.

Needless to say I am seriously tired. But I did manage to get the house back in order pretty quickly and restore it to its post party glory. It is so funny, you clean like crazy before a birthday party then the kids play like crazy and it is usually worse than before you started cleaning. I wouldn't change it though, the kids had such a great time and they all played very well.

No photos - just an update

I have been having connectivity issues! My stupid *&%^&$@$^ computer!! I know I'm not supposed to say stupid - my son reminds me of that fact fairly often. Who knew how often I said stupid - trust me, it is way more than I thought.

That isn't the only negative thing my kids have learned from me. They both frequently say - "Zip it!" Well, I guess they live what they learn.

I am at Mom and Dad's and just wanted to update and let you all know we are alive and well - just not connected to Internet thanks to Norton Antivirus.

As soon as I get that figured out I'll post some more pictures. Gavin is turning 4 tomorrow! Yowsers - a four year old. Bronwyn is doing great - they are booking her for her cardiac cath early in the new year. That is the first step in prepping for the third surgery - which will likely be in the spring. She is doing so great! Lately she has been our good sleeper - how odd is that.

Mari is doing well too - she is not, as we had hoped, our good sleeper. Right now she is just crying and screaming for her grandpa. I better go rescue him.

So - that is a very rushed (everything I do these days is rushed) update.

Settling in

So life continues. Today was my first day without Wes home. So far so good. Mari doesn't appear to be our sleeper - but I am still holding out hope.

Actually today has been a pretty good day. As long as they all realize that they may have to be a bit patient with Mom then we'll all get along just fine. Mari has trouble with this so far - but she is allowed - she's not even a week old yet.

Mari update

We are doing well. Our little girl seems to love the night life - but well she's only been here a few days and I am sure she wants to experience as much as she can. She is overall a really great little baby - I am still hopeful that she will be our good sleeper!

Her older brother and sister really enjoy her. We have to watch because Gavin wants to carry her around and pick her up. Bronwyn also does but can't reach as high as Gavin so she's less of a threat.

We are also working at getting Bronwyn to say Mari. She decided even before the baby was born that her name would be Olla. We are trying to convince her that it isn't Olla but Mari. Wish us luck with that!

We had a visit from her new best friend Kalia and older sister Cadence this morning. Mel and I did a great job of timing that!

We are all doing well - our schedules are all off and the kids are overtired and a bit grumpy - but other than that we are all great. Wes has been home for the week which has made it feel a bit like holidays. I am not looking forward to having him return to work and managing on my own but I think we'll do fine.

Thanks for all the well wishes and offers of congratulations we truly appreciate the love and support of all our friends and family.